Tourists enjoy themselves in the durian orchards in Cua Can. Photo: THUY TIEN
According to many durian orchard owners in Phu Quoc, the hilly, high-lying land here has good drainage, so there's no need for raised beds for planting; the durian trees still thrive. Phu Quoc durians are delicious, with yellow flesh, a moderate sweetness, and are less prone to spoilage. Notably, Phu Quoc durians usually command a higher price than those from other regions. From a trial crop, durian has become a popular investment choice for many locals, becoming a regional specialty and providing a good income for many families.
Currently, durian orchards in Cua Can, Cua Duong, and Bai Thom are laden with fruit and are in the harvesting season. Durians begin ripening around April and continue until June. When visiting the orchards, tourists can learn from the owners about cultivation techniques and how to ensure healthy fruit development. Mr. Nguyen Van Hung, a durian orchard owner in Cua Duong, said that durian trees can be harvested from the fifth year after planting; Phu Quoc's climate and soil conditions are suitable for durian cultivation, with few pests and diseases. Although Phu Quoc durians are more expensive than those from other places, supply still exceeds demand.
Mr. Hung's family grows 120 durian trees using safe farming practices, without chemical fertilizers or pesticides. The selling price is around 120,000 VND/kg, bringing in a considerable profit. "Although the durians on the island aren't very large, they have a unique flavor thanks to the red sandy soil. The durians have a light aroma, yellow, creamy flesh, and a subtly sweet taste, making them popular with many customers, especially tourists ," Mr. Hung shared.
The durian orchard of Ms. Pham Thi Mui's family in Cua Can is also in harvest season. Ms. Mui's family grows about 280 durian trees, yielding approximately 3 tons. "My family lets the fruit ripen and fall naturally, without artificially cutting or forcing it, so many customers from outside the province prefer it. Besides customers who order it for shipping, the orchard also attracts many international tourists who come to visit and enjoy the durian," Ms. Mui said.
Ms. Pham Thi Mui, a resident of Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone, inspects durian trees in her garden to prepare for customers. Photo: THUY TIEN
During durian season, orchards in Cua Can, Cua Duong, and Bai Thom become bustling. Besides buyers, the number of visitors also increases. One of the most enjoyable experiences attracting tourists to Phu Quoc during this season is directly visiting and tasting ripe durians in the orchards. Typically, during peak ripening season, orchard owners allow visitors to tour and sample the fruit on-site for about a month, so tourists should choose the right time to take beautiful photos and enjoy delicious durians right in the orchard. “Phu Quoc durians have yellow flesh, aren’t overly sweet, but are very creamy. Especially, the feeling of sitting under a cool tree, listening to the orchard owner tell stories about how they started their business, and then opening a freshly fallen durian to enjoy is wonderful,” shared Ms. Nguyen Diem Trang, a resident of Can Tho City.
Phu Quoc durian is delicious and fragrant. Photo: THUY TIEN
According to many durian orchard owners, the number of visitors has increased significantly in recent years. Many travel companies have started including orchard experience tours in their Phu Quoc exploration programs. Mr. Ha Tuan Minh - representative of Winner Phu Quoc Vietnam International Travel Company Limited, commented: “International tourists coming to Phu Quoc not only want to relax but also want to experience the local culture. Many tourists say that durian orchards offer them a unique and interesting experience compared to crowded tourist destinations.”
The durian season in Phu Quoc not only brings high economic benefits to local people but also contributes to diversifying tourism products for the island. Instead of focusing on high-end resort tourism, developing ecotourism is opening up a sustainable direction.
THUY THAN
Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/phu-quoc-vao-mua-sau-rieng-a485470.html
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